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Grids and layout
The Interface design language is inspired by the geometry of our products, building on a system of grids. Influenced by Swiss design, the relationship between typography and grids is fundamental in informing the layout of our creative approach.
The Bug
Our approach to layout is inspired by the Bug and our modular product tiles.
Image and text are structured around a 24x24 grid square. Content is placed in modular layouts inspired by the Bug.
Building the grid
The Bug grid and image matrix is a handy tool to help create interesting and dynamic layouts. In this section you will find guidance on how to create your own Bug inspired grids.
Bug matrix
The Bug Matrix is the core layout tool for creating bug inspired compositions.
Begin by creating a square 24x24 grid. Content panels, informed by the square and rectangular shapes present in the Bug, can be laid out within this grid to create image and text containers.
Print ads
Print ads are the most common place we use the Bug matrix. These steps will guide you through creating a print grid.
Step 01
Create a square image area within the page margins, flush to the bottom. Add the Bug matrix over your image area.
Step 02
Lay out panels inspired by the Bug shapes to create a unique and engaging composition.
Step 03
Populate the content areas with relevant campaign photography, product sims or graphics. Type, logos and other graphics should align with underlying grid.
Alternative grids
Creative inspired by The Bug will often extend to other mediums such as animated film and social media.
In some cases this may require an alternative grid layout. In these cases we always keep the longest edge of the composition 24 units and break down the short edge into the unit that gives us the closest representation of a 1:1 square grid.
16:9 (Social post, film and animation)
A 16:9 is most commonly used for screen-based deliverables such as film, animation, presentations or social media posts. A 24x14 grid gives the same modular layout options as the standard square Bug Matrix. While the individual grid units are not perfectly square, this grid ratio will provide the closest representation of the Bug in this format.
9:16 (Social story)
The 24x14 grid may be rotated 90° in order to accommodate social media stories.
1:1 (Social post)
For many social media executions such as Instagram posts we use the Bug matrix in its purest form as a simple 24x24 grid.
Grid visibility
The grid and Bug matrix are useful tools for handling all types of content. However we can dial up and down how visible the grid elements are within a given creative.
In this example, the Bug matrix is clearly present in the layout and choice of image containers.
Here, use of the Bug matrix has been simplified to create one large image panel.
Text and graphics are still aligned to the underlying grid.
In this example the photography is used full-bleed within the creative.
Text and graphics are still aligned to the underlying grid.
Grid in action
The grid can be used to varying degrees across creative deliverables. It inspires a style informed by the modular approach of the Interface product. Here are some examples from our showcase gallery of the Bug matrix and grid at its best.
